credited As

The crime spree is over. "The Sopranos" will have to kiss someone else's ring -- namely, the big boss man's, the president of the United States of TV America.
"The West Wing" was named Best Drama Series at the 52nd Annual Emmy Awards, capping a night wherein the political drama dominated, save for one major setback when James Gandolfini of "The Sopranos" bested Martin Sheen in the competition for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
"I think the Academy has an affinity for slightly overweight bald men," Gandolfini quipped onstage.
Gandolfini's win was the lone bright spot for "The Sopranos," which otherwise got whacked -- like when Sela Ward of ABC’s "Once and Again" beat both Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco for the Best Actress in a Drama Series Emmy. "The Sopranos" came into the night with 18 nominations.
Hollywood.com's Sandy Kenyon asked Gandolfini: "It's been a long kind of overnight success for you. What was going through your mind and is this a form of sweet justice for you?"
"I didn't feel any miscarriage of justice last year or anything like that, I'm just pleased to be in the show, doing the work we do,” Gandolfini said. “I didn't feel anything went wrong last year, so this year is just icing on the cake for me personally."
Meanwhile, Sheen was doing a lot of congratulatory on-camera hugging, as his comrades made their way to the stage to accept their trophies. Among the other honors for "The West Wing" were Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Allison Janney) and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Richard Schiff); Best Writing in a Drama Series (Aaron Sorkin and Rick Cleveland); and Best Direction in a Drama Series (Thomas Schlamme).
"I've got a 'West Wing' feeling," host Gary Shandling mused halfway through the telecast.
NBC’s “Will &amp; Grace” came away with some big wins, including Best Comedy Series and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Megan Mullally and Best Supporting Actor in A Comedy Series for Sean Hayes.
The lead actor and actress in “Will &amp; Grace,” Eric McCormack and Debra Messing, respectively, lost out to Michael J. Fox for ABC’s “Spin City” and Patricia Heaton of CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
HURRY IT UP: The Emmys aren't known for brevity. In recent years, the broadcast has dragged on well past the allotted running time, but this year's festivities wrapped up within its three-hour slot. Just barely.
During the final hour, that tinkly "get off the stage, already" piano music was heard often as awardees dragged on too long with acceptance speeches. Host Shandling was cut off in mid-sentence as he introduced presenter Bruce Willis, who walked onstage before his cue and explained, "We're running really late" under his breath.
The producers tried (mostly in vain) using TelePrompTers to quicken the pace -- a fact that Jack Lemmon inadvertently revealed, when he unconsciously read the "please wrap up" cue out loud.
In his opening monologue, Shandling said, "You know what slows this show down? It's the awards," and jokingly suggested that the names of winners be taped to the bottom of their seats to save time.
Not a bad idea.
Here's a brief blow by blow of the highlights of the 2000 Emmy telecast:
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GOOD POTTY JOKE: This being an awards telecast, there were of course lots of pre-taped and live time killers in between the awards and commercials.
The best of these was a "Big Brother" parody, wherein Shandling was caught on camera in the men's room. The valet offering him a hot towel was David Duchovny, who informed Shandling that a vote was taken and his bathroom privileges had been revoked. Guess you had to be there.
The whole show began, of course, with a "Survivor" parody that featured a mock vote of the Tribal Council (with celebrity members including Andy Richter of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" fame). The winner of which would be named host of the Emmy telecast and also get an SUV. Shandling tried to cop out, asking if he could just take the car instead. Guess you had to be there for that one, too.
There were other funny gags. Conan O'Brien did a self-effacing bit about paying lip service to women's issues so he could get a date to next year's Emmys; and Shandling did a tribute to his idea of "risk taking" TV: like the Home Shopping Network, "Jerry Springer," monster trucks, "Teletubbies," "Xena" and The Weather Channel.
PRESSING THE FLESH: Hubba, hubba. Was it just the fact that we're watching the Emmy telecast on crystal-clear satellite TV, or did everyone see Geena Davis' um, er, um, ahem ... nipples? Is Renny Harlin nuts? She's the most beautiful over-40 woman in the universe -- see-through, skin-tight outfit or no.
I SEE DEAD PEOPLE: The annual montage of dearly departed TV celebs featured Loretta Young, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Madeline Kahn, John Gielgud, George C. Scott, Larry Linville, Meredith MacRae, Gene Rayburn, Durward Kirby, Shirley Hemphill, Hoyt Axton, Nancy Marchand, Leonard Goldenson, Clayton Moore, Doug Henning, Craig Stevens, Mary Jane Croft, Mabel King, Charles M. Schulz, Alec Guinness and Walter Matthau.
WHO'S THAT, ER, GIRL? Cher's got blonde hair now. She looks just like Christina Aguilera, sort of. Just thought you'd like to know.
WE LIKE MIKE: The evening's biggest no-brainer was probably Michael J. Fox's win for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. The actor received the second standing O of the night (the first went to Jack Lemmon) as he took his first "Spin City" Emmy in four tries and fourth trophy overall (he got three for "Family Ties").
NBC won bragging rights for the night, taking 23 Emmys. HBO won 20, ABC 15, Fox 11 and CBS 7.

"Hannibal" bit off much more at the box office than anyone thought it could chew, opening to a record-setting $58 million.
The R-rated thriller presented by MGM and Universal in association with Dino De Laurentiis captured first place with a head-spinning estimated $58.0 million at 3,230 theaters ($17,800 per theater).
"It is far and away the biggest R-rated opening ever -- beating $42.3 million on 'Scary Movie' (which opened via Miramax's Dimension Films last July 7-9)," MGM worldwide distribution president Larry Gleason said Sunday morning.
"It's the third biggest three days of all time. It's behind the three days of 'Lost World: Jurassic Park,' but that was a four-day weekend. That was $72 million. The next one was 'Star Wars: Episode One' (which did $64.8 million via 20th Century Fox the weekend of May 21-23, 1999). That was a three-day weekend. So we came in number two as far as three day weekends are concerned. Spectacular."
"Hannibal" also went into the record books as the biggest non-summer opening ever and as MGM's biggest opening.
Gleason pointed out that "Hannibal" is also off and running very successfully abroad. "It opened in Italy and is doing the same (terrific) business there," he said. "It's going to do about seven billion lira, which is about 8% of the U.S. (business). It's just really amazing -- almost $4 million. So the first two places, the U.S. and Italy, are opening to these record breaking numbers."
Asked where "Hannibal" could wind up domestically having opened so well, Gleason replied, "Well over $200 million. I mean, it can't do worse than that. It looks like it could do half a billion dollars worldwide."
The film's success will impact on both MGM and Universal, which is distributing it abroad. "It's a co-production. We have domestic. They have international. And it all goes into a single pot, so we split all of the profits from both places. It's a big benefit to MGM because we have domestic. Look, Universal (which supervised the film during production) gave us something good to work with. They've taken our campaign (created by MGM worldwide marketing president Gerry Rich and his team) and they're using the campaign around the world. It's a great compliment to MGM that both the foreign distributors and UIP that's distributing in the rest of the (foreign territories) are using the same campaign."
The blockbuster opening for "Hannibal" kicks off a much more active year for MGM than the studio has seen in a long time. "We're going to have almost 20 films in 2001, which is the biggest since the early '80s as far as numbers," Gleason noted.
Insiders had anticipated a $35-40 million launch for "Hannibal" with $37.5 million being the most widely circulated projection around town. The most venturesome Hollywood handicappers were whispering that, maybe, it would hit $40-45 million. If anyone was thinking $55 million-plus, they kept the thought to themselves. Clearly, MGM's marketing efforts made it this weekend's must-see movie for audiences across the country.
"Hannibal" will wind up doing significantly more box office business than its 1991 predecessor film "The Silence of the Lambs." "Lambs" grossed $130.7 million in its domestic release via Orion Pictures and did about $142 million in international theaters.
"Silence" won Oscars for best picture, director (Jonathan Demme), actor (Anthony Hopkins), actress (Jodie Foster) and adapted screenplay (Ted Tally).
Not surprisingly, "Hannibal" had the highest per-theater average for any film playing last weekend. Its estimated $58 million in ticket sales represents about 47% of the weekend's estimated $122.4 million total for key films (those grossing $500,000 or more).
Directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, Martha De Laurentiis and Ridley Scott, "Hannibal" stars Anthony Hopkins and Julianne Moore. Its screenplay by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian is based on the novel by Thomas Harris.
Columbia and Intermedia Films' PG-13-rated romantic comedy "The Wedding Planner" fell one peg to second place in its third week with a still attractive estimated $7.8 million (-26%) at 2,726 theaters (-59 theaters; $2,861 per theater). Its cume is approximately $38.0 million.
"We had three of the top five," Sony Pictures Entertainment worldwide marketing &amp; distribution president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning, pointing to Columbia's "Wedding" and "Saving Silverman" and Sony Pictures Classics' "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
"'Wedding Planner' had a great hold," Blake pointed out. "It just keeps getting better. I think we'll get a Valentine's Day boost and a holiday weekend boost. This is starting to look like (it will have a domestic theatrical gross of) $60 million rather than what was already a profitable $50 million."
Directed by Adam Shankman, "Planner" stars Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.
Columbia's PG-13-rated comedy "Saving Silverman" from Village Roadshow Pictures in association with NPV Entertainment opened in third place to an okay estimated $7.4 million at 2,467 theaters ($3,000 per theater).
"'Saving Silverman' survived the onslaught (of 'Hannibal') pretty well," Sony's Blake said Sunday morning.
"It managed to do reasonably well in the face of such a huge opening. I think the long-term benefit for the picture is certainly there because hopefully we'll do close to the same next weekend with the holiday and it will certainly add up to another profitable picture for us. $22 million is what the picture cost, so I would certainly hope we'd have a chance to get to $30 million (in domestic theaters).
"We haven't necessarily made the headlines, but we've had a nice string of profitable pictures here with 'Wedding Planner,' 'Finding Forrester,' 'Snatch' and now 'Saving Silverman.' Hopefully, it'll keep going."
Directed by Dennis Dugan, "Silverman" stars Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, Jack Black and Amanda Peet.
Sony Pictures Classics continued the very successful widening of its critically-acclaimed, PG-13-rated action adventure "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." "Tiger" rose one peg to fourth place in its 10th week with a still hot estimated $5.12 million (-25%) at 1,204 theaters (+41 theaters; $4,252 per theater). Its cume is approximately $60.1 million.
"Tiger," which won Golden Globes for best director (Ang Lee, who also received a DGA nomination) and best foreign language film, is considered a major contender for Oscar nominations when they are announced Tuesday morning (Feb. 13).
Directed by Ang Lee, "Dragon" stars Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat.
"We just surpassed one milestone," Sony Pictures Classics vice president, sales Tom Prassis said Sunday morning. "We broke the box office record for a foreign language film (beating Miramax's record of $57.6 million for 'Life Is Beautiful'). Now we're open for good things on Tuesday and we'll shoot for some more records."
Asked where "Tiger" could go in domestic theaters if it does as well Tuesday as some Hollywood handicappers think it will, Prassis replied, "I'd hate to speculate (but) the sky is the limit."
20th Century Fox's PG-13-rated drama "Cast Away" slid two rungs to fifth place in its eighth week with a still lively estimated $5.04 million (-33%) at 2,354 theaters (-292 theaters; $2,139 per theater). Its cume is approximately $209.7 million. "Tuesday (with its Oscar nominations) will be very important," Fox distribution president Bruce Snyder said Sunday morning. "Without (anything happening for the picture on) Tuesday, it looks like $225 million, and with (some major nominations on) Tuesday -- can't tell!"
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, "Cast Away" stars Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt.
Paramount's PG-13-rated teen appeal drama "Save the Last Dance" from MTV Films dropped two slots to s xth place in its fifth week with a slower estimated $4.8 million (-33%) at 2,506 theaters (-64 theaters; $1,914 per theater). Its cume is approximately $74.5 million.
Directed by Thomas Carter, "Dance" stars Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas.
USA Films' R-rated Oscar contender drama "Traffic" fell one peg to seventh place in its seventh week with a still-promising estimated $4.43 million (-30%) at 1,740 theaters (+160 theaters; $2,545 per theater). Its cume is approximately $71.0 million.
"Traffic," which won Golden Globes for best screenplay (Stephen Gaghan) and best supporting actor (Benicio Del Toro), is considered a likely contender in the Oscar race. Its director, Steven Soderbergh, is a Directors Guild nominee for both "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich."
"We'll know better Tuesday, but we still have our sights set on the $90-100 million range with the right nominations," USA distribution president Jack Foley said Sunday morning.
"I'm going to try to add more prints this week, too. We added some prints this past week. I've got more theaters ready to go this week, and I think once we get the nominations under our belts, more exhibitors will come forth. I'd like to add as many (theaters) as I can."
Noting the importance of the upcoming Oscar nominations even in this weekend's ticket sales, Foley said, "Look at the top ten drops and then the drops below the top ten, and you'll see that the ones that are in play for the Academy are dropping in the 30%s for the weekend. Last year it was (only) in the 20%s and in the teens (but) 'Hannibal' cut into the market considerably. The others are (down) in the 40%s and more. So there is a bit of interest in the Academy stuff going on, and this week we should whittle down these drops even further."
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, "Traffic" stars Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Quaid and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow's R-rated horror film "Valentine" plunged sixth notches to eighth place in its second week with a calm estimated $3.82 million (-62%) at 2,310 theaters (theater count unchanged; $1,654 per theater). Its cume is approximately $15.8 million.
Directed by Jamie Blanks, "Valentine" stars Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton and Katherine Heigl.
Miramax's PG-13-rated romantic comedy drama "Chocolat," a contender for Oscar nominations, rose one notch in its ninth week with an encouraging estimated $3.1 million (-15%) at 1,148 theaters (-25 theaters; $2,700 per theater). Its cume is approximately $26.6 million.
Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, "Chocolat" stars Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp.
Rounding out the Top Ten this week was Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13-rated dark comedy "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" up one rung in its eighth week with an okay estimated $3.0 million (-18%) at 835 theaters (+26 theaters; $3,593 per theater). Its cume is approximately $20.8 million.
Directed by Joel Coen and written by Ethan Coen &amp; Joel Coen, it stars George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson and John Goodman.
OTHER OPENINGS There were no other significant openings this weekend.
SNEAK PREVIEWS There were no national sneak previews this weekend.
EXPANSIONS On the expansion front, this weekend saw no significant activity.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the three days -- took in approximately $122.44 million, up about 43.88% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $85.1 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 26.36% from the previous weekend this year when key films grossed $96.9 million.
Last year, Dimension Films' second week of "Scream 3" was first with $16.32 million at 3,467 theaters ($4,707 per theater); and 20th Century Fox's opening week of "The Beach" was second with $15.28 million at 2,547 theaters ($5,998 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $31.6 million. This year, the top two films grossed an estimated $65.8 million.

Paramount's "Mission: Impossible 2" took a predictably big second weekend drop, but held on to first place despite big competition from Fox's "Big Momma's House."
"M:I-2" escaped with an ESTIMATED $27 million (-53%) at 3,653 theaters (theater count unchanged; $7,355 per theater). The PG-13-rated action adventure sequel's cume is approximately $130.7 million.
The original "Mission" dropped 52% in its second weekend (May 31-June 2, 1996) and had a cume at that point of $107.2 million. The sequel's cume is running about 22% ahead of the original.
Paramount had anticipated a drop of 50-55% for "M:I-2's" second weekend, saying that was the range to expect after having just opened to blockbuster business for the four-day Memorial Day weekend.
"M:I-2" should wind up grossing $200-250 million in domestic theaters and $300-350 million in international theaters. Its worldwide cume should total $500-600 million. The first "Mission" did $181 million domestically and $284 million internationally for a worldwide cume of $465 million.
Directed by John Woo, "M:I-2" was produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner through their Cruise/Wagner production company, which also produced the 1996 blockbuster "Mission: Impossible." Besides Cruise, the sequel stars Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, Brendan Gleeson, Rade Sherbedgia and Ving Rhames. It was written by Robert Towne and executive produced by Terence Chang and Paul Hitchcock.
(NOTE: Today's percentage drops are calculated against the Friday-Sunday portion of the previous four-day holiday weekend.)
The weekend's big story, however, was 20th Century Fox's PG-13 comedy "Big Momma's House."
"Momma," this weekend's only wide opening, was a hefty second with a full-figured ESTIMATED $25.6 million at 2,802 houses ($9,136 per theater). Insiders said Fox's decision to go for a PG-13 rather than an R rating was a key factor in achieving its solid success.
"Momma's" per-theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide or limited release this weekend.
"Momma" out-performed industry expectations that it would gross around $20 million given its strong tracking scores going into the weekend. Insiders said late last week that the film had 83% awareness and 43% definite interest and was a 13% overall first choice and a 59% first choice for African-Americans.
"In the immortal words of Bobby Carradine in 'Revenge of the Nerds II' - 'We're back,'" a very pleased Tom Sherak, 20th Domestic Film Group chairman and senior executive vice president of Fox Filmed Entertainment, said Sunday morning.
"For us, it's the beginning of what we think will be a big summer. We have (the animated sci-fi feature) 'Titan A.E.' next and then 'Me, Myself &amp; Irene' (starring Jim Carrey and directed by Bobby &amp; Peter Farrelly) and then 'X-Men' (based on the best-selling sci-fi/fantasy comic book) and then 'Bedazzled' (directed by Harold Ramis and starring Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley). This couldn't start the summer off better."
Sherak said Fox's exit poll scores "were incredible. Excellent was 60%, very good was 28% -- 88% in the Top Two Boxes. Definite recommend was 80% overall." Young males, he added, gave it a definite recommend of over 90%.
Who was "Momma's" core audience? "The core audience was young females - 58% of the audience was under 25 and 60% was female," Sherak replied. "It played huge urban and very good white. You see it crossing over already. There's no color in this. The small little markets did what the small little markets normally do. But the theaters that cross over were huge. When you get to totally white America, the numbers aren't as good, but they're okay."
Emphasizing that the film has good playability for a broad audience, Sherak added, "The critics missed this one. Let's keep a record of how they're doing."
Directed by Raja Gosnell, it stars Martin Lawrence and Nia Long.
Buena Vista/Disney's PG-rated computer animated feature "Dinosaur" took one step down to third place in its third weekend with a less bulky ESTIMATED $12.0 million (-52%) at 3,319 theaters (+17 theaters; $3,616 per theater). Its cume is approximately $96.8 million, heading for $170 million-plus in domestic theaters.
Directed by Ralph Zondag and Eric Leighton, "Dinosaur" features such voices as D.B. Sweeney, Ossie Davis, Joan Plowright, Della Reese and Alfre Woodard.
Buena Vista/Touchstone and Spyglass Entertainment's PG-13-rated action comedy "Shanghai Noon" fell one rung to fourth place in its second weekend with a less happy ESTIMATED $8.6 million (-45%) at 2,745 theaters (+34 theaters; $3,133 per theater). Its cume is approximately $31.9 million.
Directed by Tom Dey, it stars Jackie Chan, Owen C. Wilson and Lucy Liu.
DreamWorks' R-rated action adventure "Gladiator" slipped one notch to fifth place in its sixth week, still fighting hard with an ESTIMATED $8.1 million (-40%) at 3,056 theaters (-132 theaters; $2,651 per theater). Its cume is approximately $138.7 million, heading for $175-200 million in domestic theaters.
"Gladiator's" 40% drop was the lowest for any film in this weekend's Top Five.
"Gladiator" is half owned by Universal, which is releasing it internationally.
Directed by Ridley Scott, it stars Russell Crowe.
DreamWorks' R-rated youth appeal comedy "Road Trip" finished sixth, down one peg in its third week but showing good legs with an ESTIMATED $6.7 million (-39%) at 2,654 theaters (+23 theaters; $2,524 per theater). Its cume is approximately $45.5 million.
Directed by Todd Philips, it stars Breckin Meyer and Sean William Scott.
New Line's "Frequency" held on to seventh place in its sixth week, continuing to show terrific legs with an ESTIMATED $2.1 million (-27%) at 1,605 theaters (-198 theaters; $1,293 per theater). Its cume is approximately $38.0 million, heading for about $45 million in domestic theatres.
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
"Every week, it's had minimal drops," New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "The picture's actually doing exactly what we thought it would do - once we got it in the marketplace, word of mouth would carry it."
DreamWorks' Woody Allen PG-rated comedy "Small Time Crooks" dropped two rungs to eighth place in its third week, still holding well with an ESTIMATED $1.7 million (-45%) at 874 theaters (+45 theaters; $1,945 per theater). Its cume is approximately $11.2 million.
Written and directed by Woody Allen, it stars Allen, Tony Darrow, Hugh Grant, George Grizzard, Jon Lovitz, Elaine May, Michael Rapaport, Elaine Stritch and Tracey Ullman.
"U-571," Universal's PG-13 World War II submarine drama, descended one notch to ninth place in its seventh week with a quiet ESTIMATED $1.42 million (-45%) at 1,591 theaters (-453 theaters; $892 per theater). Its cume is approximately $71.0 million, heading for about $75 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Columbia's PG-13-rated youth appeal dance film "Center Stage," down one slot in its fourth weekend with a calm ESTIMATED $1.1 million (-49%) at 1,362 theaters (-144 theaters; $808 per theater). Its cume is approximately $14.4 million.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, it stars Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy and Ethan Stiefel.
OTHER OPENINGS
Columbia's G-rated family drama "Running Free" opened in 21st place to a slow ESTIMATED $0.055 million at 100 theaters ($545 per theater).
Directed by S rgei Bodrov, it stars Chase Moore.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
This weekend saw no national sneak previews.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Miramax's R-rated comedy "East Is East" added a few more theaters in its eighth week, placing 17th with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.25 million at 157 theaters (+3 theaters; $1,575 per theater). Its cume is approximately $2.4 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
USA Films' PG-13-rated drama "Up At The Villa" went a little wider in its fifth week, placing 18th with a dull ESTIMATED $0.19 million (-18%) at 112 theaters (+4 theaters; $1,685 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.8 million.
Directed by Philip Haas, it stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, James Fox, Derek Jacobi and Anne Bancroft.
Paramount Classics' PG-13-rated drama "Passion of Mind" went wider in its second week, placing 20th with a weak ESTIMATED $0.099 million (-47%) at 122 theaters (+18 theaters; $815 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.4 million.
Directed by Alain Berliner, it stars Demi Moore.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $96.89 million, up about 19.86% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $80.83 million for four days.
This weekend's key film gross for three days cannot be compared to this year's previous weekend, which was a four day holiday weekend.
Last year, 20th Century Fox's third week of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - Episode One" was first with $32.89 million at 3,024 theaters ($10,877 per theater); and Universal's second week of "Notting Hill" was second with $15.01 million at 2,752 theaters ($5,455 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $47.9 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $52.6 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Paramount was first with two films ("Mission: Impossible 2 and "Rules of Engagement," grossing an ESTIMATED $27.51 million or 28.4% of the market.
20th Century Fox was second with two films ("Big Momma's House" and "Where the Heart Is"), grossing an ESTIMATED $26.6 million or 27.5% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney and Touchstone) was third with two films("Dinosaur" and "Shanghai Noon"), grossing an ESTIMATED $20.6 million or 21.3% of the market.
DreamWorks was fourth with three films ("Gladiator," "Road Trip" and "Small Time Crooks"), grossing an ESTIMATED $16.5 million or 17.0% of the market.
Universal was fifth with three films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" and "Erin Brockovich"), grossing an ESTIMATED $2.48 million or 2.6% of the market.
New Line was sixth with one film ("Frequency"), grossing an ESTIMATED $2.1 million or 2.2% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)Where the Heart Is/Fox: Theaters: 1,087 (-281) Gross: $1.0 million (-37%) Average per theater: $920 Cume: $30.1 million
(12)Erin Brockovich/Universal: Theaters: 736 (-62) Gross: $0.55 million (-36%) Average per theater: $750 Cume: $122.3 million
(13)Rules of Engagement/Paramount: Theaters: 555 (-238) Gross: $0.51 million (-15%) Average per theater: $920 Cume: $60.2 million
(14)The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas/Universal: Theaters: 1,105 (-386) Gross: $0.50 million (-60%) Average per theater: $455 Cume: $30.9 million
(15)Love &amp; Basketball/New Line: Theaters: 450 (-90) Gross: $0.4 million (-49%) Average per theater: $889 Cume: $26.0 million
(16)Battlefield Earth/Warner Bros./Franchise Pictures: Theaters: 641 (-1,946) Gross: $0.25 million (-70%) Average per theater: $390 Cume: $20.9 million
(17)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(18)Up at the Villa/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(19)Screwed/Universal: Theaters: 242 (-561) Gross: $0.1 million (-70%) Average per theater: $415 Cume: $7.0 million
(20)Passion Of Mind/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(21)RUNNING FREE/Columbia: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

Dinosaurs snapped back to life this weekend as Buena Vista/Disney's "Dinosaur" kicked off to nearly $39 million.
The PG-rated, computer-animated feature, which cut short the chart-topping reign of DreamWorks' "Gladiator," set a record as the year's biggest opening with an ESTIMATED $38.6 million at 3,257 theaters ($11,860 per theater).
"Dinosaur's" per-theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide or limited release this weekend.
"I think it's great," Buena Vista Distribution president Chuck Viane said Sunday morning.
Noting that some studios had estimated the picture as opening to even bigger numbers, Viane said, "I know some of my competitors have given me more credit than we're giving ourselves, but I'd rather see it than say it and then have to back off. If tomorrow (when actual weekend figures are released) it's a bigger number, I won't be embarrassed to tell people I was low. Every now and then, that happens."
Focusing on the film's mid-May arrival, he noted, "We have not had the opportunity to open a movie this big when it wasn't on a holiday weekend. We're not in the summer and we're not on a holiday. We'll be the first to admit that we don't have a model we're as comfortable with as we are when we're matching apples to apples."
Viane pointed out that, looking at the film's grosses market by market, he was particularly pleased that, "We're as big in the inner city as we are in the suburbs. Normally, we're a very suburban-oriented group. Our films always play well at the malls. But it doesn't matter where you are or what theater - whether you're in San Antonio or the Rio Grande Valley or up in Minneapolis - across the board these are fabulous, fabulous numbers. And so consistent. It doesn't happen often, and you just really feel great when it does."
Viane said "Dinosaur" is Disney's third-biggest animated opening ever, "Behind 'Toy Story 2,' which was Thanksgiving (with $57.4 million the weekend of Nov. 26-28, 1999), and "Lion King," which was mid-summer (with $40.9 million the weekend of June 24-26, 1994). For 'Lion King,' every day (was) a holiday, including the day we opened. We out-grossed 'Lion King' Saturday (with 'Dinosaur'). We didn't do as well as 'Lion King' on Friday. Obviously, people were either at work or in school."
Directed by Ralph Zondag and Eric Leighton, "Dinosaur" features such voices as D.B. Sweeney, Ossie Davis, Joan Plowright, Della Reese and Alfre Woodard.
DreamWorks' R-rated action adventure "Gladiator" slid one peg to second place in its third week with a still-muscular ESTIMATED $19.1 million (-23%) at 3,041 theaters (+98 theaters; $6,281 per theater). Its cume is approximately $102.5 million, heading for $175-200 million in domestic theaters.
"It continues to have incredible word-of-mouth, which is generating substantial repeat business, including women, who are now almost 50% of our audience," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning.
"It really is encouraging. It went over the $100 million mark in 17 days, which actually is the same as 'The Mummy' last year. But 'Mummy' started out about $9 million ahead of us (from its opening weekend). This movie is holding extremely well. It's playing so well, it's unbelievable. And people are seeing this movie three and four times."
DreamWorks is distributing "Gladiator" domestically while Universal is releasing it abroad. The two studios are 50-50 partners, sharing equally in the success of "Gladiator," which reportedly cost $103 million to make.
Directed by Ridley Scott, "Gladiator" stars Russell Crowe.
DreamWorks also found preferred parking in third place with the high-speed arrival of its R-rated youth appeal comedy "Road Trip," opening to an ESTIMATED $15.0 million at 2,530 theaters ($5,929 per theater).
Directed by Todd Philips, it stars Breckin Meyer and Sean William Scott.
"It's off to a really good start," DreamWorks' Tharp said. "It's always great when the opening weekend of a movie grosses the movie's cost. We're very pleased with it. 'There's Something About Mary' in the summertime did about $13 million its first weekend, so this is, I think, a really good number. 'American Pie' was higher than this, but it was also in the summer, on July 9.
"Word-of-mouth is very positive. The only exit (data) I have is from the sneaks. It was 88% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good)."
Overall, it was a terrific weekend for DreamWorks, which had two films in the Top Five, three in the Top Ten and saw "Gladiator" crack the $100 million mark.
"U-571," Universal's PG-13 World War II submarine drama, drifted down one rung to fourth place in its fifth week, still holding nicely with an ESTIMATED $4.61 million (-20%) at 2,736 theaters (-84 theaters; $1,685 per theater). Its cume is approximately $64.4 million, heading for about $75 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"Frequency" dropped one slot to fifth place in its fourth week, continuing to hold really well with an ESTIMATED $4.3 million (-13%) at 2,202 theaters (-268 theaters; $1,953 per theater). Its cume is approximately $30.3 million, heading for about $40 million in domestic theatres.
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
"The drops are great," New Line executive vice president, distribution David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "It's the fourth week in the marketplace (and it's only down) 13%. That's great."
Warner Bros. and Franchise Pictures' PG-13-rated sci-fi action adventure "Battlefield Earth" plunged four orbits to sixth place in its second weekend with a weak ESTIMATED $3.83 million (-67%) at 3,304 theaters (-3 theaters; $1,159 per theater). Its cume is approximately $18.2 million heading for about $25 million.
Directed by Roger Christian, it stars John Travolta, Barry Pepper and Forest Whitaker.
DreamWorks' Woody Allen PG-rated comedy "Small Time Crooks" opened in seventh place - only about $30,000 behind Warners' estimate for "Battlefield" - to an encouraging ESTIMATED $3.8 million at 865 theaters ($4,393 per theater).
Written and directed by Woody Allen, it stars Allen, Tony Darrow, Hugh Grant, George Grizzard, Jon Lovitz, Elaine May, Michael Rapaport, Elaine Stritch and Tracey Ullman.
"'Small Time Crooks' is just fantastic," DreamWorks' Tharp said. "You expect the biggest eight to 10 markets to do business on a Woody Allen movie. But this movie played on a broader basis. We actually attracted families this weekend. This did family business. I think the rating and the comedy and Tracey Ullman helped.
"We may add a few runs for the holiday weekend. We're going to add a few on 'Road Trip' for Memorial Day weekend, and we may look at this now. Going this wide was sort of an experiment. Most of (Allen's) movies open in just a few runs. But seeing how broad it did play, we actually may add some new runs in the next few weeks."
Columbia's PG-13-rated youth appeal dance film "Center Stage" slipped two slots to eighth place in its second weekend with a quiet ESTIMATED $3.3 million (-28%) at 1,506 theaters (theater count unchanged; $2,191 per theater). Its cume is approximately $9.2 million.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, it stars Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy and Ethan Stiefel.
20th Century Fox's PG-13-rated drama "Where the Heart Is" fell two notches to ninth place in its fourth week with a softer ESTIMATED $2.9 million (-29%) at 2,155 theaters (-256 theaters; $1,346 per theater). Its cume is approximately $25.8 million.
"Heart," which cost about $15 million to make, was picked up by Fox for domestic and English speaking territories for only $9 million.
Directed and produced by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Universal's "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," the PG-rated prequel to the 1996 "Flintstones" blockbuster, down five rocks in its fourth week with a calm ESTIMATED $2.5 million (-46%) at 2,692 theaters (-433 theaters; $928 per theater). Its cume is approximately $27.8 million, heading for about $35 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Brian Levant, director of the original "Flintstones," the prequel stars Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin.
OTHER OPENINGS
There were no other significant openings this weekend.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Buena Vista/Touchstone held sneak previews of its PG-13 rated action comedy "Shanghai Noon" at 1,230 theaters Saturday night.
Disney said the sneaks played to 76% capacity with 40% of the performances sold out. Those on hand scored it 91% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good).
"Shanghai" opens May 26 at about 2,700-2,800 theaters.
Directed by Tom Dey, "Shanghai" stars Jackie Chan, Owen C. Wilson and Lucy Liu.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Lions Gate Films' R-rated dark comedy "The Big Kahuna" widened in its fourth week, placing 18th with an unexciting ESTIMATED $0.74 million at 309 theaters (+288 theaters; $2,390 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.1 million.
Directed by John Swanbeck, "Kahuna" stars Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli.
Paramount Classics' R-rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides" added a few theaters in its fifth week, placing 21st (in a tie with "I Dreamed Of Africa") with a soft ESTIMATED $0.43 million (-29%) at 275 theaters (+5 theaters; $1,565 per theater). Its cume is approximately $2.4 million.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
USA Films' PG-13-rated drama "Up At The Villa" went wider in its third week, placing 24th with a calm ESTIMATED $0.25 million (-5%) at 109 theaters (+22 theaters; $2,324 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.1 million.
Directed by Philip Haas, it stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, James Fox, Derek Jacobi and Anne Bancroft.
Miramax's R-rated comedy "East Is East" added a few theaters in its sixth week, placing 25th with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.19 million (-6%) at 66 theaters (+3 theaters; $2,900 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.5 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
Miramax Films' R-rated contemporary version of "Hamlet" began expanding in its second week, placing 27th with an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.099 million at 13 theaters (+9 theaters; $7,631 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.2 million.
Directed by Michael Almereyda, it stars Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Sam Shepard, Diane Venora, Bill Murray, Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $108.75 million, up about 4.37% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $104.20 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 34.87% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $80.63 million.
Last year, 20th Century Fox's opening week of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - Episode One" was first with $64.81 million at 2,970 theaters ($21,822 per theater); and Universal's third week of "The Mummy" was second with $13.79 million at 3,276 theaters ($4,210 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $78.6 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $57.7 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Buena Vista (Disney and Touchstone) was first with two films("Dinosaur" and "Keeping the Faith"), grossing an ESTIMATED $39.8 million or 36.6% of the market.
DreamWorks was second with three films("Gladiator," "Road Trip" and "Small Time Crooks"), grossing an ESTIMATED $37.9 million or 34.9% of the market.
Universal was third with four films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," "Screwed" and "Erin Brockovich"), grossing an ESTIMATED $9.99 million or 9.2% of the market.
New Line was fourth with three films ("Frequency," "Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $6.6 million or 6.1% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was fifth with two films ("Center Stage" and "28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $3.96 million or 3.6% of the market.
Warner Bros. was sixth with one film ("Battlefield Earth"), grossing an ESTIMATED $3.83 million or 3.5% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)Screwed/Universal: Theaters: 1,761 (+2) Gross: $1.77 million (-47%) Average per theater: $1,005 Cume: $6.1 million
(12)Love &amp; Basketball/New Line: Theaters: 833 (-214) Gross: $1.57 million (-19%) Average per theater: $1,885 Cume: $21.9 million
(13)Rules of Engagement/Paramount: Theaters: 1,062 (-556) Gross: $1.18 million (-33%) Average per theater: $1,106 Cume: $58.5 million
(14)Erin Brockovich/Universal: Theaters: 947 (-544) Gross: $1.11 million (-35%) Average per theater: $1,175 Cume: $120.2 million
(15)Held Up/Trimark: Theaters: 679 (-9) Gross: $1.1 million (-42%) (tie) Average per theater: $1,620 Cume: $3.5 million
(16)Keeping the Faith/Buena Vista: Theaters: 842 (-727) Gross: $1.1 million (-42%) (tie) Average per theater: $1,305 Cume: $34.0 million
(17)Final Destination/New Line: Theaters: 944 (0) Gross: $0.73 million (-35%) Average per theater: $1,114 Cume: $49.4 million
(18)The Big Kahuna/Lions Gate: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(19)Return to Me/MGM: Theaters: 733 (-470) Gross: $0.71 million (-38%) Average per theater: $965 Cume: $30.1 million
(20)28 Days/Columbia: Theaters: 778 (-977) Gross: $0.66 million (-55%) Average per theater: $850 Cume: $35.5 million
(21)I Dreamed Of Africa/Columbia: Theaters: 700 (-1,412) Gross: $0.43 million (-71%) (tie) Average per theater: $620 Cume: $5.9 million
(21)The Virgin Suicides/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above) (tie)
(23)The Skulls/Universal: Theaters: 305 (-270) Gross: $0.3 million (-35%) Average per theater: $985 Cume: $34.7 million
(24)Up At The Villa/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(25)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(26)The Road to El Dorado/DreamWorks: Theaters: 451 (-576) Gross: $0.17 million (-84%) Average per theater: $375 Cume: $49.5 million
(27)Hamlet/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(28)Time Code/Sony/Screen Gems: Theaters: 42 (0) Gross: $0.08 million (-37%) Average per theater: $1,905 Cume: $0.5 million
(29)Human Traffic/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)

Moviegoers gave DreamWorks' "Gladiator" a thumbs-up vote of nearly $33 million.
The R-rated DreamWorks' action adventure set in ancient Rome arrived to a spectacular ESTIMATED $32.7 million at 2,938 theaters ($11,130 per theater). Its per theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide or limited release this weekend.
"It really is a great opening," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning. "I think we're so pleased with it because it's an R-rated movie, it has a long running time and, initially, the appeal was predominately to men. All of that indicated it would be tough to get the movie to $30 million.
"The positive word of mouth helped increase Friday from $11.1 million to $13.6 million (on Saturday). On Friday, women represented about 35% of our audience, and on Saturday it jumped to about 45%. That positive word of mouth actually affected women as much if not more than men. They found out it played on an emotional level, versus what you anticipate from a movie called 'Gladiator' set in Rome in the Second Century."
Early Sunday morning, Tharp had not yet received details of the studio's exit polls but, based on preliminary information, said, "The over-25 (demographic group) is still the biggest part of our audience. But only slightly more (than the under-25s). It seemed like the date crowd did respond on Saturday night."
Looking at past big summer openings by R-rated films, Tharp said, " Air Force One" was the biggest ever at $37.2 million or so. Most of the ones above us had Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford or Mel Gibson. I think it puts Russell Crowe in rarified company there. This is the first vehicle for him that's opened to anywhere near these numbers."
Asked why DreamWorks opted to release the film this weekend, Tharp explained, "We felt this weekend we would have 100% of our primary demographic. Later in the summer is a better play time, but our thinking is we'd rather have almost 100% of our demographic now than split that primary demographic later."
Although DreamWorks is distributing "Gladiator" domestically, Universal is releasing it internationally, and the two studios are 50-50 partners, sharing equally in its success. The film reportedly cost $103 million to make.
"Gladiator" arrived via Universal in Australia last Thursday, opening to a record-setting gross of over $600,000 (A$1.03 million) at 287 theaters. Universal said its opening day success topped previous arrivals by hits like "Deep Impact", "The Mummy," "Saving Private Ryan,"" Jurassic Park:The Lost World" and "Jurassic Park."
The Australian opening, which kicked off the film's international campaign, was followed by its launch in Mexico this weekend. Most of "Gladiator's" international runs will begin later in May and continue through June.
Directed by Ridley Scott, "Gladiator" stars Russell Crowe.
"U-571," Universal's PG-13 World War II submarine drama, sank one notch to second place in its third week with a slower ESTIMATED $7.56 million (-40%) at 2,701 theaters (+85 theaters; $2,800 per theater). Its cume is approximately $49.4 million, heading for $60 million-plus in domestic theaters.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"There's a lot to be said this weekend, because you can't forget that we're 50% partners on 'Gladiator,'" Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "We have the number one, two and three films in the marketplace. So I feel thrilled."
Note: Based on Universal's estimates, 'The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas' came in third, slightly ahead of New Line's 'Frequency'. However, New Line's estimates for "Frequency" came in ahead of "Flintstones." Rankings here reflect the estimates reported by each of the studios on their own releases.
Focusing on "Flintstones," Rocco noted that it was up strongly on Saturday from Friday. After doing $1.37 million Friday, it jumped 118% to $2.99 million Saturday. "A 118% boost is what you want to see between a Friday and a Saturday when there is no school (vacation)," Rocco said.
"I think the 'Gladiator' number is really fabulous. So, all in all, a great weekend for the Big Globe!"
"Frequency" held on to third place in its second week with a still solid ESTIMATED $6.53 million (-28%) at 2,631 theaters (+10 theaters; $2,471 per theater). Its cume is approximately $17.8 million.
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
Universal's "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," the PG-rated prequel to the 1996 "Flintstones" blockbuster, slid two pegs to fourth place in its second week with a less-animated ESTIMATED $6.31 million (-40%) at 3,050 theaters (+10 theaters; $2,070 per theater). Its cume is approximately $18.3 million.
Directed by Brian Levant, director of the original "Flintstones," the prequel stars Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin.
20th Century Fox's PG-13 rated drama "Where the Heart Is" dropped one notch to fifth place in its second week with a less hearty ESTIMATED $5.0 million (-40%) at 2,439 theaters (+2 theaters; $2,050 per theater). Its cume is approximately $15.7 million.
"Heart," which cost about $15 million to make, was picked up by Fox for domestic and English-speaking territories for only $9 million.
Directed and produced by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
New Line's PG-13 rated urban appeal drama "Love &amp; Basketball" slid one notch in its third week to sixth place with a slower ESTIMATED $3.5 million (-34%) at 1,192 theaters (-53 theaters; $2,810 per theater). Its cume is approximately $19.8 million.
Made for under $10 million, "Basketball's" target audience is under-25 African-Americans.
Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.
Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13 rated romantic comedy "Keeping the Faith" held on to seventh place in its fourth week with a less faithful ESTIMATED $2.8 million (-37%) at 2,014 theaters (-157 theaters; $1,376 per theatre). Its cume is approximately $29.5 million.
Directed by Edward Norton, it stars Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton.
Columbia's PG-13 drama "I Dreamed Of Africa" wasn't what moviegoers were dreaming about, opening in eighth place to a disappointing ESTIMATED $2.5 million at 2,112 theaters ($1,184 per theater).
"Africa," which cost about $34 million to make, is directed by Hugh Hudson and stars Kim Basinger.
Paramount's R rated military trial drama "Rules of Engagement" fell three rungs to ninth place in its fifth week with a dull ESTIMATED $2.4 million (-49%) at 2,261 theaters (-766 theaters; $1,061 per theater). Its cume is approximately $54.0 million heading for $60-65 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by William Friedkin, it stars Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Columbia's PG-13 rated dramatic comedy "28 Days," down two notches in its fourth week with a restrained ESTIMATED $2.35 million (-41%) at 2,413 theaters (-110 theaters; $974 per theater). Its cume is approximately $32.0 million, heading for $40 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Betty Thomas, "Days" stars Sandra Bullock and Viggo Mortensen.
OTHER OPENINGS
Last weekend also saw the arrival of USA Films' PG-13 rated drama "Up At The Villa," placing 20th with a calm ESTIMATED $0.33 million at 89 theaters ($3,655 per theater).
Directed by Philip Haas, it stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, James Fox, Derek Jacobi and Anne Bancroft.
Miramax's R rated comedy "Human Traffic" kicked off in 25th place to a stop-and-go ESTIMATED $10,500 at 5 theaters (1 in New York and 4 in Los Angeles; $2,100 per theater).
"Traffic" will drive into the Top Ten markets this Friday (5/12).
Written and directed by Justin Kerrigan, it stars John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Danny Dyer, Nicola Reynolds and Dean Davies.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Columbia held sneak previews Saturday night of its PG-13 rated youth appeal dance film "Center Stage" at 627 theaters.
"We probably were about half full," Sony Pictures Releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning, "but really at or near capacity. Most of the suburban malls got a lot of young teenage girl business. It's really become - and I think we're marketing towards them - their show.
'Flashdance' or female 'Rocky' kind of show, as opposed to anything stuffy or artistic in the world of ballet. I think the dancing in it is great, but pointedly we've emphasized the struggle of the young girl to make it. I think that's certainly the audience that's going to respond best and the audience that showed up most at the sneaks. There's a lot of teenage girls out there. Many of them showed up last night and, hopefully, more to come next weekend."
"Stage" opens wide Friday (5/12).
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, it stars Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy and Ethan Stiefel.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Paramount Classics' R-rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides" expanded in its third week, placing 21st with a disappointing ESTIMATED $0.3 million at 100 theaters (+71 theaters; $3,040 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.9 million.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
Miramax's R-rated comedy "East Is East" went wider in its fourth week, placing 22nd with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.22 million at 61 theaters (+17 theaters; $3,524 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.9 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $79.13 million, down about 1.77% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $80.55 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 1.97% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $77.60 million.
Last year, Universal's opening week of "The Mummy" was first with $43.37 million at 3,209 theaters ($13,515 per theater); and 20th Century Fox's second week of "Entrapment" was second with $12.33 million at 2,855 theaters ($4,318 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $55.7 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $40.3 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
DreamWorks was first with two films("Gladiator" and "The Road to El Dorado"), grossing an ESTIMATED $33.50 million or 42.3% of the market.
Universal was second with four films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," "Erin Brockovich" and "The Skulls"), grossing an ESTIMATED $16.64 million or 21.0% of the market.
New Line was third with three films ("Frequency," "Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $11.75 million or 14.9% of the market.
20th Century Fox was fourth with one film ("Where the Heart Is"), grossing an ESTIMATED $5.0 million or 6.3% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was fifth with two films ("I Dreamed Of Africa" and "28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.85 million or 6.1% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney, Touchstone) was sixth with two films ("Keeping the Faith" and "High Fidelity"), grossing an ESTIMATED $3.59 million or 4.5% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)Erin Brockovich/Universal: Theaters: 1,943 (-555) Gross: $2.1 million (-42%) Average per theater: $1,080 Cume: $115.9 million
(12)Final Destination/New Line: Theaters: 1,103 (-50) Gross: $1.73 million (-27%) Average per theater: $1,564 Cume: $48.3 million
(13)Return to Me/MGM: Theaters: 1,703 (-303) Gross: $1.41 million (-39%) Average per theater: $825 Cume: $27.2 million
(14)The Road to El Dorado/DreamWorks: Theaters: 1,528 (-719) Gross: $0.8 million (-60%) Average per theater: $520 Cume: $47.7 million
(15)High Fidelity/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 552 (-254) Gross: $0.79 million (-37%) Average per theater: $1,426 Cume: $23.3 million
(16)The Skulls/Universal: Theaters: 871 (-462) Gross: $0.67 million (-47%) Average per theater: $765 Cume: $33.6 million
(17) American Beauty/DreamWorks: Theaters: 603 (-188) Gross: $0.42 million (-38%) Average per theater: $690 Cume: $128.8 million
(18)American Psycho/Lions Gate: Theaters: 501 (-511) Gross: $0.41 million (-70%) Average per theater: $810 Cume: $13.1 million
(19)Romeo Must Die/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 453 (-256) Gross: $0.40 million (-50%) Average per theater: $885 Cume: $54.3 million
(20)UP AT THE VILLA/USA Films: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(21)The Virgin Suicides/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(22)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(23)Time Code/Sony/Screen Gems: Theaters: 7 (0) Gross: $0.053 million (-43%) Average per theater: $7,600 Cume: $0.2 million
(24)The Big Kahuna/Lions Gate: Theaters: 8 (0) Gross: $0.047 million (-42%) Average per theater: $5,845 Cume: $0.2 million
(25)HUMAN TRAFFIC/Miramax: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

Universal's unsinkable "U-571" continued full speed ahead in first place this weekend just as studio tracking data indicated it would.
The PG-13 World War II submarine drama, which had a 19% first-choice tracking going into the weekend, held on to the top spot with a brisk ESTIMATED $12.33 million (-37%) at 2,615 theaters (+32 theaters; $4,715 per theater). Its cume is approximately $38.2 million, heading for $60 million-plus in domestic theaters.
"U-571's" per theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"Once again, Universal keeps the marketplace afloat," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "With nearly 40% of the market share in a lackluster environment, Universal managed to have three films in the Top Ten."
Rocco sees "U-571" sailing "past $60 million, but a lot depends on what happens next week. There's a very big film that's tracking tremendously well for males called 'Gladiator,' which is 50% owned by Universal (and 50% owned by DreamWorks). 'U-571' could be affected by it. There's no doubt about it. It depends on how much the marketplace can expand. If you take a look at the business, there's not much going on out there. So we're hoping that 'Gladiator' does expand the marketplace enough for 'U-571' to hang in there and for 'Gladiator' to do a ton of business."
Although DreamWorks is distributing "Gladiator" domestically and Universal has it internationally, Rocco pointed out, "We're 50-50 partners. We share equally in the film."
The R rated action adventure "Gladiator," a period piece set during the time of the Roman Empire, is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Russell Crowe.
Universal also owned second place, opening its "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" to a rock solid ESTIMATED $10.81 million at 3,037 theaters ($3,560 per theater).
"Vegas" is the PG rated prequel to the 1996 "Flintstones" blockbuster that grossed over $350 million worldwide.
Directed by Brian Levant, director of the original "Flintstones," the prequel stars Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin.
"It's great. There's no (other) family film in the marketplace. Its tracking indicated it would open around $10 million, which is what I expected," Universal's Rocco said.
"We also have a lot of promotional tie-ins this week -- particularly with Burger King -- which should keep it in the marketplace. There's nothing else doing business with the family audience. Obviously, the kids like it, particularly young females."
New Line's opening of its PG-13 rated time travel thriller "Frequency" was a high-powered third with an ESTIMATED $9.125 million at 2,621 theaters ($3,481 per theater).
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
"We're just tickled," New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "It was tracking (to open) at $7 million. We had a big rush at the end, which is a New Line specialty. We think this picture's going to be in the marketplace for a long time."
Who is the film's core audience? "You know something," Tuckerman replied, "it's all over (the place). That was one of the problems we had with (marketing) the movie. All sections are, like, tracking equally -- the under-25, the over 25, and both male and female."
20th Century Fox's opening of its PG-13 rated drama "Where the Heart Is" finished fourth with a heartening ESTIMATED $8.3 million at 2,437 theaters ($3,405 per theater).
The $15 million "Heart" is likely to be profitable for Fox, which reportedly picked it up for domestic and English speaking territories for just $9 million.
Directed and produced by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
"The picture played extremely well, especially to women," Tom Sherak, 20th Domestic Film Group chairman and senior executive vice president of Fox Filmed Entertainment, said Sunday morning.
"70% of the audience was women. It played in the 80%'s definite recommend and in the 90%'s excellent and very good. So, hopefully, it will have a nice long run. The definite recommend for younger women (under 25) was 82% and for older women was 78%."
Noting "Heart's" low acquisition cost to Fox, Sherak said, "We should do really well on it."
New Line also scored a fifth place victor with "Love &amp; Basketball," down three hoops in its second week with a still lovely ESTIMATED $5.55 million (-32%) at 1,245 theaters (+8 theaters; $4,458 per theater). Its cume is approximately $15.9 million.
The PG-13 rated drama, which reportedly cost under $10 million to make, is targeted to under-25 African-Americans.
Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.
"I think it's going to do between $35 and $40 million," New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "I think it's profitable now."
Paramount's R rated military trial drama "Rules of Engagement" fell three pegs in its fourth week to sixth place with a quiet ESTIMATED $4.75 million (-41%) at 3,027 theaters (-193 theaters; $1,569 per theater). Its cume is approximately $50.2 million heading for $60-65 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by William Friedkin, it stars Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.
Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13 rated romantic comedy "Keeping the Faith" continued to show good legs in its third week, down two rungs to seventh place with an okay ESTIMATED $4.6 million (-35%) at 2,171 theaters (+13 theaters; $2,150 per theatre). Its cume is approximately $25.7 million.
Directed by Edward Norton, it stars Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton.
Columbia's PG-13 rated dramatic comedy "28 Days" slid four notches to eighth place in its third week with a restrained ESTIMATED $4.0 million (-45%) at 2,523 theaters (theater count unchanged; $1,585 per theater). Its cume is approximately $28.6 million, heading for $40 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Betty Thomas, "Days" stars Sandra Bullock and Viggo Mortensen.
Universal's "Erin Brockovich" fell three notches to ninth place in its seventh weekend with a less sexy ESTIMATED $3.77 million (-31%) at 2,504 theaters (-652 theaters; $1,505 per theater). Its cume is approximately $113.0 million, heading for $125-130 million in domestic theaters.
The R rated dramatic comedy was co-financed by Universal, which is distributing it domestically, and by Columbia, which is releasing it internationally. The two studios are 50-50 partners in the picture.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, it stars Julia Roberts, Albert Finney and Aaron Eckart.
Rounding out the Top Ten was New Line's R rated suspense thriller "Final Destination," down one rung and holding solidly in its seventh weekend with a strong ESTIMATED $2.53 million (-10%) at 1,153 theaters (-162 theaters; $2,190 per theater). Its cume is approximately $46.1 million heading for $50 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by James Wong, it stars Devon Sawa.
MGM's PG rated romantic comedy "Return to Me" was nearly tied with "Final," placing 11th, down three slots in its fourth week with an okay ESTIMATED $2.5 million (-37%) at 2,006 theaters (-314 theaters; $1,246 per theater). Its cume is approximately $25.2 million.
Directed by Bonnie Hunt, "Return" cost only about $24 million to make. It stars David Duchovny and Minnie Driver.
OTHER OPENINGS
Last weekend also saw the arrival, via Sony's Screen Gems label, of its R rated digitally shot comedy "Time Code," placing 23rd with an enc uraging ESTIMATED $0.095 million at 7 theaters ($13,571 per theater).
Directed by Mike Figgis, it stars Saffron Burrows and Salma Hayek.
"We're really excited about it," Sony Pictures releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. "We really feel like we're on the front end of a real filmmaking revolution here. I think that's always what made the project fun. We got very nice reviews and, I think, great results. The Nuart (in West L.A.) looks like it's going to do over $25,000. Both New York runs look like about $17,000 each. I think there's real interest here. The fact that it's the beginning of something that a lot of people feel is coming - shooting completely in digital from beginning to end -- really makes it kind of exciting.
"This really is the kind of picture we formed Screen Gems to get involved with. I think Valerie Van Galder and her marketing team really did a terrific job on this."
Looking ahead, Blake said, "We're going to add 16 more major markets next Friday and then expand on May 12 in the markets we opened this week."
Lions Gate Films' R rated dark comedy "The Big Kahuna" arrived in New York and Los Angeles, placing 24th with an okay ESTIMATED $0.088 million at 8 theaters ($11,000 per theater).
Directed by John Swanbeck, "Kahuna" stars Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli.
"On May 12 we go into seven additional markets exclusive, and on May 19 it's going to go out to approximately 400 runs," Lions Gate co-president Tom Ortenberg said Sunday morning.
Looking at "Kahuna's" first weekend, Ortenberg said, "I think it's solid. It's an art film. It's going to play like an art film. Our best run in Los Angeles was actually Pasadena, which I think shows the more mature suburban nature of the picture. So I'm not so concerned about opening up to huge numbers out of the gate. On 'The Red Violin,' we had areas where, for example, Palo Alto/Menlo Park was bigger than the city of San Francisco. Deerfield, Illinois, was bigger than the city of Chicago. Boulder was bigger than Denver.
"We weren't looking for huge numbers out of the core runs. We were looking to get the picture on its feet and established in the marketplace and kind of set the groundwork for further expansion. I think that's pretty much what we've done."
Miramax's R rated dark comedy "Committed" opened in New York and L.A., placing 26th with an uncommitted ESTIMATED $0.012 million at 6 theaters (3 in New York and 3 in Los Angeles; $2,000 per theater).
Written and directed by Lisa Krueger, it stars Heather Graham and Casey Affleck.
"It will go to the Top Ten (markets) next week," Miramax senior vice president, marketing David Kaminow said Sunday morning.
USA Films' R rated dark comedy "The Idiots" opened in New York, placing 27th with a calm ESTIMATED $0.007 million at 2 theaters ($3,642 per theater).
Directed by Lars von Trier, it stars Brodil Jorgensen.
Sony Pictures Classics kicked off its R rated romantic comedy "Bossa Nova" at two theaters in New York. No estimates were available Sunday morning since SPC does not track its openings.
Directed by Bruno Barreto, it stars Amy Irving and Antonio Fagundes.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
There were no national sneak previews this weekend.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Miramax's R rated comedy "East Is East" went wider in its third week, placing 21st with an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.27 million at 39 theaters (+21 theaters; $6,100 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.6 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
Paramount Classics' R rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides," expanded in its second week, placing 22nd with a less sexy ESTIMATED $0.17 million (-29%) at 29 theaters (+11 theaters; $5,765 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.5 million.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
USA Films went wider with its R rated drama "Joe Gould's Secret," placing 25th in its fourth week with a dull ESTIMATED $0.064 million at 32 theaters (+3 theaters; $2,013 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.3 million.
Directed by Stanley Tucci, it stars Ian Holm and Stanley Tucci.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $76.97 million, up about 42.47% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $54.02 million.
This weekend's key film gross was down about 9.80% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $85.33 million.
Last year, 20th Century Fox's opening week of "Entrapment" was first with $20.15 million at 2,815 theaters ($7,157 per theater); and Warner Bros.' fifth week of "The Matrix" was second with $8.72 million at 2,903 theaters ($3,002 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $28.8 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $23.1 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Universal was first with four films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," "Erin Brockovich" and "The Skulls"), grossing an ESTIMATED $28.22 million or 36.6% of the market.
New Line was second with three films ("Frequency," "Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $17.2 million or 22.3% of the market.
20th Century Fox was third with one film ("Where the Heart Is"), grossing an ESTIMATED $8.3 million or 10.8% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney, Touchstone)was fourth with three films ("Keeping the Faith," "High Fidelity" and "Fantasia 2000"), grossing an ESTIMATED $7.9 million or 10.3% of the market.
Paramount was fifth with one film ("Rules of Engagement"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.75 million or 6.2% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was sixth with one film ("28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.0 million or 5.2% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(12)The Road to El Dorado/DreamWorks: Theaters: 2,247 (-923) Gross: $2.2 million (-58%) Average per theater: $979 Cume: $46.6 million
(13)Fantasia 2000/BV/Disney: Theaters: 53 (0) (all IMAX) Gross: $2.0 million (+11%) Average per theater: $38,056 Cume: $49.7 million (domestic)
(14) American Psycho/Lions Gate: Theaters: 1,012 (-230) Gross: $1.35 million (-50%) Average per theater: $1,334 Cume: $12.1 million
(15)The Skulls/Universal: Theaters: 1,340 (-707) Gross: $1.31 million (-52%) Average per theater: $975 Cume: $32.6 million
(16)High Fidelity/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 806 (-425) Gross: $1.3 million (-40%) Average per theater: $1,635 Cume: $22.2 million
(17)Gossip/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 1,525 (0) Gross: $0.98 million (-58%) Average per theater: $645 Cume: $4.2 million
(18)Romeo Must Die/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 709 (-730) Gross: $0.84 million (-46%) Average per theater: $1,180 Cume: $53.7 million
(19)American Beauty/DreamWorks: Theaters: 791 (-339) Gross: $0.73 million (-46%) Average per theater: $923 Cume: $128.2 million
(20)Where the Money Is/USA Films: Theaters: 456 (-1,079) Gross: $0.3 million (-76%) Average per theater: $650 Cume: $5.4 million
(21)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(22)The Virgin Suicides/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(23)TIME CODE/Sony/Screen Gems: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(24)THE BIG KAHUNA/Lions Gate: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(25)Joe Gould's Secret/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(26)COMMITTED/Miramax: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(27)THE IDIOTS/USA Films: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

He won’t be back. Cinemascape.com reports today that director James Cameron has confirmed once again that he will not be involved in any further "Terminator" films. While attending the premiere of "U-571" recently, Cameron was asked about his potential participation in "Terminator 3." Cameron replied, "Not gonna do it."
Additionally, recent comments made by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton have the pair saying that they have no interest in another sequel unless Cameron is directing.
But the question remains: Will there be a "Titanic II"?
WHAT A SCREAM! Miramax has registered the Web sites www.scream4.com through www.scream10.com in making plans for a new batch of sequels, msnbc.com reports. A Miramax official has no comment, but director Wes Craven is among those who never completely believed that the studio would kill off the successful slasher-flick franchise starring Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox Arquette.
A CALL TO ACTION: Bill Cosby, in Los Angeles on Tuesday to receive the Steven J. Ross/Time Warner award from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television, called for additional outreach programs that give minority students the chance to prepare for careers in the entertainment industry. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cosby said that such programs help give an edge to aspiring talents who already face stumbling blocks as they enter film and television.
GOODBYE, OSCAR: Richard D. and Lili Fini Zanuck have said that they will never produce another Oscar telecast, DailyVariety columnist Army Archerd reports today. Richard Zanuck told Archerd, "Although it was one of my greatest experiences, I'll never do it again." Lili said: "We were very happy with the reception ... (but) we have a day job."
COUPLES WATCH: Howard Stern and Angie Everhart have blossomed into something serious. "They have been going out," the model's rep, Shari Goldberg, tells the New York Daily News. "I don't know about Howard, but she's not seeing anyone else." ... Actress Kristin Scott Thomas is expecting her third child. She is married to Francois Oliviennes. ... Joan Lunden, the former host of ABC's "Good Morning America" who reportedly is a contender to replace Kathie Lee Gifford on "Live! With Regis &amp; Kathie Lee," has married Jeff Konigsberg, who operates children's summer camps. It is Lunden's second marriage.
HERE’S LOOKIN’ AT YOU, KID: Robert Evans’ best-seller "The Kid Stays in the Picture," which chronicles the producer’s rise to power in Hollywood, might be brought to the screen as a feature documentary by this year’s DGA documentary feature winners Brett Morgen and Nanette Burstein ("On the Ropes"), the Reporter says. The news first broke March 25 on foxnews.com.

MTV comic Tom Green is in "excellent spirits" after three hours of cancer surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles. Tom Green The procedure -- a second sweep by doctors to nab any remaining cancerous cells -- comes after one last week in which the 28-year-old funnyman had his right testicle removed.
"He's resting comfortably, and the prognosis looks good," publicist Marleah Leslie told The Associated Press.
Production on Green's self-titled show on MTV is on hold while he rehabs. When he comes back, he'll star in "The Cancer Special" (really) featuring footage from Tuesday's surgery.
In the meantime, the comic has launched a drive to help others with the Big C. It's called: Tom Green's Nuts Cancer Fund. Really.
RELATIVE TROUBLE: A man who legally changed his name to Jonathan Taylor Spielberg in 1997 has been indicted for allegedly claiming to be Steven Spielberg's nephew. The guy's vanity license plate? "SLBERG."
THE "PATIENT" IS UNHAPPY: Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas are joining their "English Patient" director (Anthony Minghella) and producer (Saul Zaentz) in complaining that Miramax short-changed them for their work on the 1996 Oscar-winning film. According to today's London Daily Express Fiennes and Thomas "are taking legal action" to get the $1.6 million they say they're each owed. A Miramax rep today said the studio was not aware of any lawsuits. Additionally, he said Miramax was cooperating with (Zaentz in providing info for an audit of the film's ledgers.
TRAFFIC THERE IS A, ER, WITCH: In case you're in Madrid and someone asks if you're going to Hell, don't take it personally. The good folks of that Spanish city have just unveiled a street named "Highway to Hell," after the headbanging song by AC/DC.
WHAT PART OF "GOODBYE" DOESN'T SHE UNDERSTAND? Remember Barbra Streisand's big-deal farewell concert in Las Vegas on Y2K's Eve? According to today's Daily Variety, the singer/actress is thinking about doing one, maybe two more shows this fall in either New York or Los Angeles.
OSCAR WATCH: R&amp;B chanteuse (and "Cider House Rules" co-star) Erykah Badu and up-and-comer Penelope Cruz (soon to be seen in "All the Pretty Horses" with Matt Damon) have joined the presenters' roll for Sunday's Academy Awards.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 19, 2000 - Rene Russo, the actress, didn't win any awards for her head-turning performance in "The Thomas Crown Affair." But tonight here at the Beverly Hilton, Rene Russo, the haircut, did. Welcome to the first-ever Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards, where the above-the-title stars take back seats to behind-the-scenes primping professionals.
Yes, it was the beauty folks' turn to make Oscar-like acceptance speeches and bask in the praise of thankful A-list celebrities who they've made look good, "day after day, year after year, facelift after facelift," as host Rita Rudner drolly put it.
"It's the American dream that I've heard so much about. It's happening to me right now," hair stylist Enzo Angileri said, accepting the so-called Georgie award for doing Russo's do in "Thomas Crown," named best contemporary hairstyling work.
Decades ago, hair and make-up people were treated like celebrities themselves. But the list of big names attending the awards ceremony showed that, while movie and TV beauticians may no longer make it into the gossip columns, they nonetheless are held in high esteem by those who do.
"It's an art form," said actor Billy Bob Thornton, an award presenter. As if to prove that point, Thornton showed up in full make-up (complete with oily gray hair) and costume (a Slim Whitman-meets-Colonel Sanders outfit) from "Waking Up In Reno," a film he's now shooting, in which he plays an aging country singer.
"A lot of people don't realize how much time we spend in make-up, how many hours we spend being literally transformed by these artists," he said.
Other name brands handing trophies included: Holly Hunter, Brendan Fraser (greeted by cat-calls from the audience), Ellen Burstyn, Mimi Rogers, and cast members from TV shows like "That 70's Show," "Freaks and Geeks," and "Providence." Before the event, crowds of fans and electronic lined the Beverly Hilton lobby as the stars rolled in.
Tony Curtis presented the lifetime achievement award to makeup artist Monty Westmore, who recently retired after a 50-plus-year career that included more than 100 films, ranging from "The Treasure of Sierra Madre" with Humphrey Bogart to the forthcoming "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey.
Unlike the Oscars, which have been plagued by mishaps this year despite 72 years of experience, the Georgies basically survived their first go-round with almost no problems. Ballots were mailed out to the 1,100 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 706, who voted on the 17 different award categories. And the golden statuettes, which look vaguely Oscar-like, didn't disappear en route to the event.
But note the phrase: Almost no problems. Amid the celebration, two important items were missing: The champagne and sunglasses. The champagne ordered for the ceremonies never arrived, and was believed to have been delivered to another hotel. And the Calvin Klein shades that were to be supplied by the designer label and given out to the presenters, also were no-shows.
When informed of this caper, actress Christina Applegate (of "Jesse" fame) was understandably dejected.
"Was I supposed to get some glasses?" Applegate said. "Darn."
Here's a complete look at the night's winners:
FILM
Best Contemporary Makeup (Feature) Toni G and Will Huff "The General's Daughter."
Best Period Makeup (Feature) Leonard Engleman, "Tea With Mussolini."
Best Character Makeup (Feature) Kevin Yagher, Peter Owen, Elizabeth Tag and Paul Gooch, "Sleepy Hollow."
Best Effects Makeup (Feature) Greg Cannom and Wesley Wofford, "Bicentennial Man."
Best Contemporary Hair Styling (Feature) Enzo Angileri "The Thomas Crown Affair."
Best Period Hair Styling (Feature) Vivian McAteer, for Cher in "Tea With Mussolini." Television TELEVISION
Best Contemporary Makeup (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) James MacKinnon and Stephanie Fowler, "Thank You Providence," "Providence."
Best Period Makeup (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) Cheri Montesanto-Medcalf, Kevin Westmore and LaVerne Basham, "Triangle," "The X-Files."
Best Character Makeup (Television) Jennifer Aspinall, Felicia Linsky and Ed French, Episode #507, "Mad TV."
Best Makeup Effects (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) Kenny Myers, Todd A. McIntosh, Robin Beauxchesne, Douglas Noe, and Brigette Myre-Ellis, "Living Conditions," "Buffy The Vampire Slayer."
Best Period Makeup (For a Mini-Series or Movie of the Week) Sue Cabel, Matthew Mungle and Joe Hailey, "And The Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story."
Best Character Makeup (For a Mini-Series or Movie of the Week) Douglas Noe, for Cicely Tyson in "A Lesson Before Dying."
Best Contemporary Hair Styling (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) Darrell Fielder, Jonathan Hanousak and Joy Zapata, "The Final Frontier," "Mad About You."
Best Period Hair Styling (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series -- Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) Gabriella Pollino, Deborah Piper, Valerie Scott and Cindy Costello, "Prom Night," "That 70's Show."
Best Character Hair Styling (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) Josee Normand, Charlotte Parker and Gloria Montemeyor, "Bride of Chaotica," "Star Trek Voyager."
Best Innovative Hair Styling (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime) Josee Normand, Charlotte Parker and Gloria Montemeyor, "Dragon's Teeth," "Star Trek Voyager."
Best Period Hair Styling (For a Mini-Series or Movie of the Week) Marlene Williams and Tim Jones "And The Beat Goes On: The Sonny &amp; Cher Story."

Agent Clarice Starling could be back on the case in the big-screen version of "Hannibal." After Jodie Foster dropped out to direct "Flora Plum," the project looked to be filed away -- or at least returned to producer Dino DeLaurentiis.
Now it appears that "Magnolia" star Julianne Moore could be ready for her FBI badge and power suit. Daily Variety reports that the busy actress (she appeared in five movies in 1999) is in strong contention for active duty. Although Universal tells Hollywood.com that the actress hasn't committed yet, the studio may very well put her on the front line.
Variety says the role Moore is looking at is indeed that of Clarice Starling -- and not an all-new FBI agent character, as had been rumored when Foster bailed on the project.
Moore is a wild card in a "Hannibal" derby where Cate Blanchett, Hilary Swank, Gillian Anderson and Ashley Judd have all been touted as plucky replacements for the gun-toting heroine.
The casting of the role is key to the "Hannibal" puzzle, since Hannibal Lecter doesn't appear in Steve Zailian's script until one-quarter of the way into the movie. Whoever gets the call to action is also important in a fiscal sense. Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for his turn as Hannibal the Cannibal, is likely to take a big bite out of the budget, with a deal worth more than $10 million, plus likely gross points.
Gross, not gore, is also the anatomically correct term for the horror drama's behind-the-scenes players. Before production even begins, DeLarurentiis, director Ridley Scott and "Silence of the Lambs" / "Hannibal" writer Thomas Harris have managed to gobble up a very scary 26 percent of the gross, according to reports.
DOUBLE DUTY: "Pretty Woman" Julia Roberts will definitely head south of the border with Brad Pitt in DreamWorks' "The Mexican," today's Hollywood Reporter says.
And for good measure, the actress also has reportedly said okay to a Vegas side trip with George Clooney in Warner Bros.' "Ocean's Eleven" remake.
According to the Reporter, the $20 million-a-pic mega-star won't receive that kind of spectacular payday for either film. Instead, she settled for a small advance against a significant part of the backend. (Translation: Don't worry about her bank account.)
"The Mexican," co-starring James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos"), is an action comedy about a con (Pitt) contending with an ancient gun -- believed to be cursed -- and an impatient girlfriend (Roberts). "Ocean's Eleven" is a new version of the 1960 Rat Pack film about a bunch of guys who rob Las Vegas casinos.
SHE SAYS, HE SAYS . . . NO: Catherine Zeta-Jones had her reasons for dropping out of Oliver Stone's "Beyond Borders." Now Kevin Costner has his excuse. Zeta-Jones is pregnant. Costner can't fit it into his schedule. Daily Variety reports that Stone, ever the optimistic Hollywood mogul, will press on to meet his scheduled May 1 start date with a new cast.
WEIRD 'NATURE': No one will ever accuse Charlie Kaufman of being a regular guy. The screenwriter of the offbeat "Being John Malkovich" keeps things a bit on the oddball side with his latest script, "Human Nature."
Variety reports that the dark comedy starring Patricia Arquette, Paul Giamatti and Miranda Otto begins shooting in May with music video maker Michel Gondry in the director's seat. The premise (believe it or not) is this: A woman (Arquette) suffers a hormonal abnormality that leaves her covered with body hair. Somehow, she becomes connected to a scientist who wants to save the world by teaching table manners to mice. The woman and the scientist, along with an assistant (Otto), have plans for a man (Rhys Ifans) raised in the wild as an ape.
Said Gondry to Variety: "The characters in 'Human Nature' may seem a bit extreme." Really?
STALLONE REVS UP: Sylvester Stallone, missing in action since 1997's "Copland," will try to switch to a higher gear by making a film about Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). According to Variety, Stallone's polishing the script, which will be produced by Franchise Pictures.
Variety also notes that the actor was quoted as saying he was "in total limbo" after being shunned by Hollywood.